WITI 2017 Hall of Fame Award Acceptance Speech

Joseph and Pat were introducing Dr Elizabeth Xu

I was given the 2017 Hall of Fame Award by WITI, it was a great honor, 70 friends, colleagues, mentors and family members celebrated the event with me. My son Joseph and my mentor and mother Pat Zimmerman introduced me.  It was a tearing moment.

I like to share my acceptance speech and appreciation with 

you:

Dr. Elizabeth Xu accepting WITI HOF Award

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. It’s my greatest honor to receive the prestigious 2017 Hall of Fame Award. Thanks WITI !

Behind every successful man, there is a women.  It is much harder for a woman to be successful.  For me, it took a global village.  I dedicate this award to my supportive global village, to all of you who have loved,  mentored and supported me throughout my life.

I was born and raised in China.  My father was an English professor. He was handsome, artistic and sporty; he was my hero.  My father encouraged me to do what boys do and told me I could do it in pretty dresses. Tonight, I wear this dress for my father.   My mother was a kindhearted math teacher, she was precise and wanted me to be perfect in every aspect. Mother taught me to make my own money, always be independent and kind to others. Despite what they went through in their lives,  they blessed me with a free spirit to live and love passionately. I learned at a very early age that the sky is the only limit.

The three guys in my family, my husband Willam, my sons Alex and Joey love and support me unconditionally. They never complain about my endless business trips and long work hours.  My sons learned that hard work brings the best opportunities and earns respect, contributing to the community gives them bigger hearts.  A smart brain alone doesn’t raise them to the top.

Joey, the life-threatening Children’s Sleep Apnea you suffered taught me how precious a human life is, and the life and death difference a fighting attitude can make. We agreed that we will never give up!  Everyday, you inspire me to utilize our precious life fully to be creative, caring and curious.

Three of my mentors are among my guests this evening.  Pat, Jo and James. As well as Wes Hom’s daughter Stephanie.

Pat, you are my M square, my mentor and mother.  You showed me how to live a winner’s life. When I was an insecure graduate student, coming to the United States with $45 in 1990, you elevated my goals from Survival to Success, then to Superior, helping others be successful and leave a long lasting legacy.  In 2011, we even surprised ourselves by co-teaching at Stanford University and co-authoring a book with the encouragement from our students!  Einstein's energy formula is energy equals m times C square; my success formula is c times m square, c is the courage to explore.

Jo, as the female IBM Fellow and VP Research, you not only inspired me to be a technical executive, you also showed the how, with your deep technical capability and dedication to IBM’s business and technology.

Jim, my boss at Vitria,  you taught me how to run a profit business with right processes, priorities and laser focus.

Stephanie, your father Wes, the VP of Sales at IBM,  taught me how to serve our customers, building long lasting relationships and adding value to their business.

I am so fortunate to be Inspired and taught by the best. You have elevated my vision about life to 4 "L"s

1.     To Live to my fullest potential

2.     To love people around me and enable them to reach to their fullest potential

3.     To learn from people around me

4.     To leave a legacy, make real differences and impacts

Finally, I want to thank my colleagues and teams at BMC, Acxiom, Rearden,  Vitria and IBM. I am so lucky to be part of many outstanding teams, who have built great products.

I also would like to thank the volunteers at Be the Change Foundation, the global village for our mentees, together, we make impactful changes and build a long-lasting legacy.

Ladies, let’s help each other, collaborate with men and do what they do, with kind hearts, grace, and style!